After the talks between Iranian and British officials in New York last month, "British Foreign Secretary William Hague called ( Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad) Zarif on Monday and suggested appointing a non-resident charge d'affaires in the capitals of the two countries," Afkham was quoted as saying by semi-official Mehr news agency.

The two countries agreed on Tuesday to appoint non-resident diplomats in their respective countries as the Iranian Majlis ( parliament) had approved restoration of bilateral ties at the level of charge d'affaires, she said.

The spokeswoman added that in the future, historical mutual problems, different views over Iran's nuclear issue, Middle East developments and the subject of human rights will be among the topics of talks between Iranian and British officials.

On Tuesday, Hague told the British parliament that the two countries "will now appoint a non-resident charge d'affaires tasked with implementing the building of relations, including interim steps on the way towards the eventual reopening of both our embassies."

In November 2011, thousands of angry Iranian demonstrators broke into two British embassy compounds following Iran's decision to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Britain in response to its financial sanctions against Tehran.

Britain then shut down its embassy in Tehran and ordered the immediate closure of the Iranian embassy in London.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that the ice was already "beginning to break" between his country and the West, although no meeting or hand-shaking has taken place with his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, in New York.

Rouhani, who addressed the UN General Assembly for the first time as Iranian president on Tuesday afternoon, continued to strike a conciliatory note in an interview with CNN. Full story

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that Iran seeks "constructive engagement" with other countries based on mutual respect and common interest, pledging never to develop nuclear weapons.

While addressing the UN General Assembly here for the first time as president, Rouhani said that Iran and other actors should pursue a political solution for the nuclear issue of Iran. Full story